Merchandise Inventories	6 Months Ended
Oct. 26, 2013
Merchandise Inventories	(1) Merchandise Inventories B&N Retail inventory cost is determined primarily by the retail inventory method under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. B&N College inventory is also determined by the retail inventory method. However, its textbook and trade book inventories are valued on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis, where the related reserve was not material to the recorded amount of the Company’s inventories or results of operations at October 26, 2013. Textbook rentals are reclassified to Prepaid and Other Current Assets in the period in which they were rented, and are amortized to their estimated residual value over the rental period. NOOK merchandise inventories are determined based on the average cost method. Merchandise inventories for all segments are stated at the lower of cost or market. Market is determined based on the estimated net realizable value, which is generally the projected selling price. Since the majority of the B&N Retail and B&N College book inventory purchased is returnable for full credit to vendors, obsolescence reserves are primarily limited to non-returnable inventory. Reserves for non-returnable inventory are based on the Company’s history of liquidating non-returnable inventory. The Company also estimates and accrues shortage for the period between the last physical count of inventory and the balance sheet date. Shortage rates are estimated and accrued based on historical rates and can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shortage trends.

Merchandise Inventories

6 Months Ended

Oct. 26, 2013

(1) Merchandise Inventories

B&N Retail inventory cost is determined primarily by the retail inventory method under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. B&N College inventory is also determined by the retail inventory method. However, its textbook and trade book inventories are valued on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis, where the related reserve was not material to the recorded amount of the Company’s inventories or results of operations at October 26, 2013. Textbook rentals are reclassified to Prepaid and Other Current Assets in the period in which they were rented, and are amortized to their estimated residual value over the rental period. NOOK merchandise inventories are determined based on the average cost method.

Merchandise inventories for all segments are stated at the lower of cost or market. Market is determined based on the estimated net realizable value, which is generally the projected selling price. Since the majority of the B&N Retail and B&N College book inventory purchased is returnable for full credit to vendors, obsolescence reserves are primarily limited to non-returnable inventory. Reserves for non-returnable inventory are based on the Company’s history of liquidating non-returnable inventory.

The Company also estimates and accrues shortage for the period between the last physical count of inventory and the balance sheet date. Shortage rates are estimated and accrued based on historical rates and can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shortage trends.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for inventory. This may include, but is not limited to, the basis of stating inventory, the method of determining inventory cost, the major classes of inventory, and the nature of the cost elements included in inventory. If inventory is stated above cost, accrued net losses on firm purchase commitments for inventory and losses resulting from valuing inventory at the lower-of-cost-or-market may also be included. For LIFO inventory, may disclose the amount and basis for determining the excess of replacement or current cost over stated LIFO value and the effects of a LIFO quantities liquidation that impacts net income.

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